Using sUAS Multispectral Imagery to Determine the Effect of Prescribed Burns on C3 and C4 Plant Communities in a Reclaimed Wisconsin Prairie

Ava Beyers; Trent Ediger; Katherine McClain; Haley Siculan

Authors

Ava Beyers Carthage College
Trent Ediger Lawrence University
Katherine McClain Lawrence University
Haley Siculan Lawrence University

Keywords:

photosynthesis, sUAS, remote sensing, prairies, Wisconsin, prescribed burns

Abstract

We examine the effect of prescribed burns on C3 and C4 plant communities in a reclaimed Wisconsin prairie ecosystem. Our research builds off previous work to discriminate between C3 and C4 plants and further determine the effects of prescribed burns on the area using sUAS imagery. We find that the area most recently burned (2023) is more vegetated overall with warmer and drier soil, and that C4 plants are more common than C3 plants throughout the entire study site. This aligns with previous research which shows that C4 plants thrive in warmer and drier environments cultivated by burning. Our findings illuminate ecosystem dynamics after fire; this will become increasingly important as we see a rise in wildfires and droughts due to climate change. As these climate effects become more prevalent, it is imperative to understand how ecosystems respond so that prairie managers can more effectively cultivate biodiversity and abundant plant communities.

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